A Canadian rescue dog, who was on her way to a foster home, was shot dead at the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.The CBC reports the incident has prompted the Winnipeg Airports Authority to review its wildlife policy. "It was a tough day for everyone," said Tyler MacAfee, the authority's director of corporate communications. "It's certainly not the outcome anyone wants to see, and it's a really tough decision for someone to make to use force in that way on an animal … But at the same time, it's that balance of aviation safety."Last Monday evening, the Winnipeg Airports Authority received a call that a dog was running loose outside at the Winnipeg airport. According to Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue Inc., the 2-year-old Labrador, named Greta, was on her way to a foster home when she managed to escape her kennel. Rebecca Norman, one of the rescue directors, told the CBC that Greta was known to be friendly to people and animals, but she had a history of chewing through kennels and it's possible that this happened on the flight. The airport's wildlife control staff tried to corral Greta into a safe area, but she ran across the airfield and near an active runway. One flight aborted its landing to avoid the dog. A second landing was scheduled to occur soon, and People reports airport authorities were "concerned that the incoming plane would crash if they attempted divert it.""The wildlife control officer had to make that difficult decision that it had to use lethal force," MacAfee said. "Quite clearly, we didn't want her to be hit by a plane. That would have been more painful than the way she passed away," Norman said. "And we also didn't want … the planes to crash or people to get hurt. So they did everything they could for her and for the planes to land."Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue Inc. posted a statement in response to the incident:"We truly believe that all parties involved did the best they could with the training and resources available to them and no one person or group is to blame, unfortunately when the media gets involved, the story tends to be sensationalized," the post read. "We are incredibly devastated that this was the outcome for Greta and that she never got to live the life we wanted for her."Greta's foster mother was at the airport to pick her up when the dog was shot. Going home without her pet-to-be was reportedly "brutal" for her. MacAfee said Greta's death is the first time in their records, dating back to 2007, that lethal force has been used on a pet.Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue Inc. wrote that they are going to meet with the Winnipeg Airports Authority to discuss how they can prevent this situation from happening again. Norman said the group plans to suggest the potential of using tranquilizer darts on animals who end up on the runway. The rescue also plans to upgrade the kennels used for travel to a more durable, non-plastic kind.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba —

A Canadian rescue dog, who was on her way to a foster home, was shot dead at the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.

The CBC reports the incident has prompted the Winnipeg Airports Authority to review its wildlife policy.

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"It was a tough day for everyone," said Tyler MacAfee, the authority's director of corporate communications. "It's certainly not the outcome anyone wants to see, and it's a really tough decision for someone to make to use force in that way on an animal … But at the same time, it's that balance of aviation safety."

Last Monday evening, the Winnipeg Airports Authority received a call that a dog was running loose outside at the Winnipeg airport.

According to Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue Inc., the 2-year-old Labrador, named Greta, was on her way to a foster home when she managed to escape her kennel.

Rebecca Norman, one of the rescue directors, told the CBC that Greta was known to be friendly to people and animals, but she had a history of chewing through kennels and it's possible that this happened on the flight.

The airport's wildlife control staff tried to corral Greta into a safe area, but she ran across the airfield and near an active runway. One flight aborted its landing to avoid the dog. A second landing was scheduled to occur soon, and People reports airport authorities were "concerned that the incoming plane would crash if they attempted divert it."

"The wildlife control officer had to make that difficult decision that it had to use lethal force," MacAfee said.

"Quite clearly, we didn't want her to be hit by a plane. That would have been more painful than the way she passed away," Norman said. "And we also didn't want … the planes to crash or people to get hurt. So they did everything they could for her and for the planes to land."

Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue Inc. posted a statement in response to the incident:

"We truly believe that all parties involved did the best they could with the training and resources available to them and no one person or group is to blame, unfortunately when the media gets involved, the story tends to be sensationalized," the post read. "We are incredibly devastated that this was the outcome for Greta and that she never got to live the life we wanted for her."

Greta's foster mother was at the airport to pick her up when the dog was shot. Going home without her pet-to-be was reportedly "brutal" for her.

MacAfee said Greta's death is the first time in their records, dating back to 2007, that lethal force has been used on a pet.

Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue Inc. wrote that they are going to meet with the Winnipeg Airports Authority to discuss how they can prevent this situation from happening again. Norman said the group plans to suggest the potential of using tranquilizer darts on animals who end up on the runway.

The rescue also plans to upgrade the kennels used for travel to a more durable, non-plastic kind.